Stores and their shoppers are viewing after-holiday returns in a whole new light this year. Many retailers recognize that cash-strapped consumers will bring back more gifts than ever and have loosened their return policies.

Price-conscious shoppers became savvy bargain-hunters, realizing they could give bigger and better gifts by taking advantage of unprecedented discounts rather than by spending a set amount on gift cards, which had been steadily gaining popularity over the past few years. Practically everything took a backseat to price.

Some New York Stock Exchange seatholders are calling for public disclosure of a report the exchange plans to give its new board on how ex-chairman Dick Grasso became Wall Street's $187.5 million man. And that may provide grounds for asking Grasso to repay some of his millions